Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Q: Does Max think he is king of the Goth scene?
A: No, I do not. I was called that in an interview with Entertaining U newspaper and publicly rejected that title immediately. Despite the reports by my haters incessantly blogging about it, I do not think I own this scene nor do I want to control it. For years now anyone tying to bad mouth me immediately goes that route and attempts to spread this unfounded notion to obfuscate the truth. What I do think, and know for a fact, is that for over 10 years I have tirelessly supported the Jax Goth scene in every way possible. Am I territorial about it? Yes, to a point I am. When it comes to the particular night I am doing a promotion, yes I am territorial over that night. The only possible end to someone starting a night on the same night as I do one is to compete directly against us for our already small and struggling scene and split it up. This is not the indie rock scene where more than one club can get upwards of 700 people a night. This is a small scene that with nothing else going on it town gets at best an upward of 150 people. I am frequently accused of not wanting any other night going on in town despite the fact that I have always publicly supported numerous other nights including Randy's Friday nights, Prima Nocturne's Sunday nights (both practically more than they promoted themselves) and most recently I have supported Cafe 331's first Friday of the month Darkwave night and despite the hatred I have received from him I have sent out e-mail's encouraging people to go to Alex's Thursday nights at Metro. Let my actions speak louder than the accusations of those attempting to profit for themselves by spreading info they know to be false. I have championed this scene since it began in Jax and count on me to continue to do so for as long as I am here.
Q: I keep hearing that there is a VIP area and that it is for elitist people. What's the story behind that?
A: After I took a trip to New York and visited a number of clubs with some friends of mine who are well connected I found myself in the VIP area of every club I attended. They were not like the so called "VIP" areas of just about every club here in Jax that sell entry into them for $100 and up. These were reserved spaces for club kids and their friends who were invited by the club and given free drinks because they brought so many people through their social networking. The whole time I was there I could not help but think of all the people I know back in Jax who go above and beyond to help us out at the club to transport props, decorate, clean and help distribute flyers every week. I though that by bringing a little touch of New York back to Jax and giving those individuals that go the extra distance to make our night better for everyone a place of their own in the club would be the right thing to do. At first I sectioned off the stage with curtains. This quickly lead to wild speculation about what was happening back there so we began opening them so everyone could see in and those patrons would still have their space. This still seemed to not sit well and unfortunately some patrons may have seen it as elitist, so I closed it down. When the club was rearranged with the very small seating area in the front, and the owners used it for themselves and their friends on nights other than Saturdays I felt it entirely appropriate to use that area as a reserved space for those that help out the club. What sickens me is that the critics of this so called "VIP" space are the same ones who used it for themselves nearly exclusively on other nights of the week or more recently I have been criticized for it by people who sat there themselves and are friends with everyone else that sat there. So I do not take the criticism of hypocrites with any seriousness, what I do take seriously is when my intentions and the truth of the matter are so viciously misconstrued by self-serving narcissists.
To set the record straight, there was never a "VIP" area in FACTORY. No sign ever claimed any section was for "Very Important People," though I do feel those people are important, I feel each and every one of our patrons are important. Those sections were clearly marked as simply "RESERVED." Just as I had reserved the stage for birthday parties or bands before, and it made none of those bands or parties elitists, it simply allowed them to reserve that space. This happens in restaurants as well as just about every other entertainment venue right down to Chucky Cheese. Does this make them elitists because they reserve a space? No, because that is an intrinsic part of the entertainment service industry. The only people calling what was a reserved space a "VIP" area are those that either cannot read a sign or are trying to make me and my friends look elitist to serve their own promotion. But the truth is what it is. It was simply a reserved space for a small handful of people who helped out the club in many ways. It was not 100% exclusive, it was in no way elitist and more importantly it is not even a valid issue because FACTORY has not have a reserved area since we left Eclipse.
- Max
To set the record straight, there was never a "VIP" area in FACTORY. No sign ever claimed any section was for "Very Important People," though I do feel those people are important, I feel each and every one of our patrons are important. Those sections were clearly marked as simply "RESERVED." Just as I had reserved the stage for birthday parties or bands before, and it made none of those bands or parties elitists, it simply allowed them to reserve that space. This happens in restaurants as well as just about every other entertainment venue right down to Chucky Cheese. Does this make them elitists because they reserve a space? No, because that is an intrinsic part of the entertainment service industry. The only people calling what was a reserved space a "VIP" area are those that either cannot read a sign or are trying to make me and my friends look elitist to serve their own promotion. But the truth is what it is. It was simply a reserved space for a small handful of people who helped out the club in many ways. It was not 100% exclusive, it was in no way elitist and more importantly it is not even a valid issue because FACTORY has not have a reserved area since we left Eclipse.
- Max
Q: Why is cover higher on a 'movie night?'
For movie parties we ad $1 because to be able to bring you these advance screening passes and swag we have to spend a lot of extra work during the week creating separate ads that have to be approved by studios and sometimes we have to spend hours making multiple changes to meet their exacting standards to get that approval. We also have extra set up, decoration or costumed extras we hire that can end up costing extra. Granted you can get some of these passes at some local comic shops for free, usually by entering your name into a drawing and waiting weeks to find out if you've won, but what some of our recent critics have failed to realize because they lack the information to understand the entirety of the situation, is that these shops get those passes from local newspapers who charge that shop an upwards of $500 for the giveaways. Most of these shops do not ever recoup that money because the people who come in to pick up the passes just get them and go, not spending a dime in the store. This loss of income is inevitably passed along to you the customer by higher prices or the shop simply stops buying the movie giveaway packages.
At FACTORY we offer you passes, T-shirts and swag which value far exceeds the one or two extra dollars we charge over normal cover for out efforts. A perfect example of this is a scathing complaint we got from a patron about the $7 cover we had for our Dark Knight party. Sadly this patron, so blinded by his rage over having to fork out $2 extra, overlooked the free set of collector pins and movie posters available to everyone at our front door. Those giveaways are now selling on Ebay for up to $20 each!
A perfect example of how it worked for patrons on that same night is right here ...
DARK KNIGHT movie pass - $12 value, GOTHAM KNIGHT DVD - $20 value, DARK KNIGHT posters and T-shirts - $30 value, complaints for having to pay $2 extra at the door - 0.
At FACTORY we offer you passes, T-shirts and swag which value far exceeds the one or two extra dollars we charge over normal cover for out efforts. A perfect example of this is a scathing complaint we got from a patron about the $7 cover we had for our Dark Knight party. Sadly this patron, so blinded by his rage over having to fork out $2 extra, overlooked the free set of collector pins and movie posters available to everyone at our front door. Those giveaways are now selling on Ebay for up to $20 each!
A perfect example of how it worked for patrons on that same night is right here ...
DARK KNIGHT movie pass - $12 value, GOTHAM KNIGHT DVD - $20 value, DARK KNIGHT posters and T-shirts - $30 value, complaints for having to pay $2 extra at the door - 0.
Q: Why is the cover different on certain nights?
A: On nights we bring in special performers or guest DJs we have to guarantee them a predetermined amount and possibly bring in extra sound or staffing to make a show run smoothly and be the best possible experience for you. This effects the overall production costs of the night and since we only have the door money to work with an pay out our staff and guest performers we have to raise the door price to cover it.
Q: I'm only 17, can I get in?
A: Our regular nights are 18+ only. We offer 'ALL AGES' nights when we feature live bands. If you are under 18 you should keep an eye on the special events list on the main page of our site for live shows.
Q: I don't have an ID, can I still get in?
A: No. You must bring your proper state issued identification to enter the club.
THANK YOU JACKSONVILLE
I want to thank everyone for coming out to 9th & Main for our opening night. It was great to get back to some normality and see so many familiar faces. It has been a rough time for us all and want to especially thank all of the kind patrons and friends who have sent me such supportive messages. It means a lot to hear from each of you and I cannot thank you enough for your support. Below are a sampling of what people have been saying...
"As long as I've known you... Regardless of the goings on or the drama that may or may not have ensued over the years, I've yet to be disappointed by anything that you've put together. I've seen people come and go from the scene which I graze around and they always come back to what you do because you do it right and you do it for the people. I've always been a supporter of this scene and others based on what's presented. But I've never been as big a supporter than what I have been since you've taken the reigns. So, for all you do... Thanks. It really does mean allot to those of us who are in it for what it is and what it represents. And for those of us "elder goths", it means that much more."
"I just wanted to stop by and commend you on keeping the goth scene alive here in Jacksonville. There is no other place in Jacksonville....like "The Factory". I think there are alot of people who should recognize your hard work and dedication. If it wasn't for you (and everyone behind the scenes) there would be no Factory. Thank you so much MAX!!! WE ALL should sit down with you and buy you a drink!!!"
"I, for one, really appreciate what you are trying to do for Jacksonville's Arts and Entertainment community. You can quote me on that."
"I just wanted to thank you for your time and enthusiasm bringing back a night which I feel is deeply rooted in the entertainment needed in Jacksonville and which patrons have enjoyed for years"
"As long as I've known you... Regardless of the goings on or the drama that may or may not have ensued over the years, I've yet to be disappointed by anything that you've put together. I've seen people come and go from the scene which I graze around and they always come back to what you do because you do it right and you do it for the people. I've always been a supporter of this scene and others based on what's presented. But I've never been as big a supporter than what I have been since you've taken the reigns. So, for all you do... Thanks. It really does mean allot to those of us who are in it for what it is and what it represents. And for those of us "elder goths", it means that much more."
"I just wanted to stop by and commend you on keeping the goth scene alive here in Jacksonville. There is no other place in Jacksonville....like "The Factory". I think there are alot of people who should recognize your hard work and dedication. If it wasn't for you (and everyone behind the scenes) there would be no Factory. Thank you so much MAX!!! WE ALL should sit down with you and buy you a drink!!!"
"I, for one, really appreciate what you are trying to do for Jacksonville's Arts and Entertainment community. You can quote me on that."
"I just wanted to thank you for your time and enthusiasm bringing back a night which I feel is deeply rooted in the entertainment needed in Jacksonville and which patrons have enjoyed for years"
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A message to the Jax Goth community,
The past few months have been the most trying and divisive time in the history of Jax Goth community. The adversity faced by being asked to leave Eclipse despite one of the owners conceding that I had done more for that club than anyone ever has, having to take the night on tour for three weeks to three different clubs to make sure you had a place to go and that our staff did not have to go without a pay day, having to shoulder the extremely difficult and emotional task of letting someone go that I felt was the one person I could always put my trust in because they were unnecessarily deceitful, then just when it seemed everything had returned to some normality -- with the dance floor packed, the ACs working and the drinks flowing -- we had to face the unthinkable last weekend with the news that the city had shut down the club.
Could things get any crazier? Indeed they could ... and have.
On Monday a long time client, the owner of 9th and Main, contacted me about the space. It was without direction and without management. In a most ironic twist I was offered the position of General Manager. Having been searching for some work outside my own projects I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to not only turn around the downward spiral of the club and make it a new nightlife destination, as I have done with many club before including Eclipse, but also to finally have the freedom to upgrade the space with a singular vision and give it an identity that will make it accessible to the widest variety of scenes and cultures possible.
My biggest obstacle? Figuring out that to do about weekly schedule, particularly Saturdays. Right from the start I discovered that one of the biggest issues was multiple staff members all trying to book nights without the proper communication which caused double-bookings that needed to be reconciled. We had to cancel numerous events. Including this coming Saturday for Alex and Tristan's event as there was already an event booked months before that could not be canceled, the all day breakdance/hip-hop event "Summertime In The City" put on by the guys at Shantytown. Had I not gotten this job both events would have overlapped each other and many of you may have made the trip out there would have not gotten what you expected at all. To avoid this and spare Alex and Tristan any embarrassment and give them enough time to make other arrangements I sent them an e-mail on Tuesday to alert them to what was going on. I've been told this is already being twisted into me trying to hurt them in someway, but lets be realistic about it, this was something that happened before I came along and if I really wanted to be mean or vindictive to them I could have just stood by and let them lead you into a huge mess and watch them crash and burn. But that's not the way I do things, I try and be respectful and fair even to people who would intend to work against me.
I also let them know my intention to reopen FACTORY at 9th and Main, which due to this "Summertime" event even I could not start until the following week, and I cannot imagine that anyone would disagree that whichever way you look at it, the obvious choice that was not only best for the club but best for the scene was to implement a tried and tested night that has a near six year history and a schedule of events planned through October prior to the other club being shut down as opposed to a night that had not even gotten off the ground. Despite this mess and my differences with Alex I went the extra step and offered them the option of trying out their promotion on another night as I am in the beginning process of reworking the weekly schedule and I am always willing to listen to and work things out with people that are willing to do the same, but so far they have both been unresponsive. Which is unfortunate as I'd rather see something work out for everyone instead of these unnecessary and narcissistic attempts to divide an already small and struggling scene. In fact, prior to taking on this job I was going to continue building on Sunday nights and had planned on supporting their Saturday (Despite it being planned weeks before the club being closed by the city with the specific intent to compete against us) and in a show of good faith of that I had already listed the night on my new web site TheDark.info under the Jacksonville page. Though it will be changed as soon as I can get to it, the listing is still up and has been since last weekend.
That said, believe what you want to believe and take sides if you feel you must. I'm not out to win any popularity contest I am only out to do what is best for the scene and have been for over a decade. I can encourage you to listen to all sides first, keep the rumors to a minimum and do not judge anyone in this situation so quickly based on what you may have heard or read that their intentions may be or believe any side 100% (even mine) as we all have our own perspective on what has happened and without having open communication between the parties involved I am confident that no one has the real story or knows anyone's true intentions. For the record, my intentions boil down to taking on a job that was offered to me and then doing that job by making decisions I felt best for the club and for you. The story from here on out is yet to be written. I do hope everyone involved will step back from the heat of their anger and do what is best for the scene and try to work things out, or at the very least respectfully go their separate ways without lowering themselves by continually trying to unfairly bash me and embroil all of you needlessly in pointless drama that in the end only serves to feed the egos that are the cause of all these problems from the start.
We at FACTORY are taking the weekend off and look forward to all the great nights, live shows and special events we have coming up. This weekend if you're going to go out you should check out DJ Jose over at Steamworks in 5 Points on Saturday, he'll fix you up right. And to make up in the smallest way to all of you for not having a place to go over the past week and all of the constant (though unavoidable) changes I invite everyone to 9th & Main for our reopening night on August 23rd with NO COVER for 21+ and $3 cover 18+ (sorry kids but you gotta give it up for the bar) and no one is banned, there is no vip, and no pretension despite what you've heard, just good music and good times with good friends.
I remain humbly yours,
Max Michaels
FACTORY promotions/General Manager 9th & Main
Could things get any crazier? Indeed they could ... and have.
On Monday a long time client, the owner of 9th and Main, contacted me about the space. It was without direction and without management. In a most ironic twist I was offered the position of General Manager. Having been searching for some work outside my own projects I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to not only turn around the downward spiral of the club and make it a new nightlife destination, as I have done with many club before including Eclipse, but also to finally have the freedom to upgrade the space with a singular vision and give it an identity that will make it accessible to the widest variety of scenes and cultures possible.
My biggest obstacle? Figuring out that to do about weekly schedule, particularly Saturdays. Right from the start I discovered that one of the biggest issues was multiple staff members all trying to book nights without the proper communication which caused double-bookings that needed to be reconciled. We had to cancel numerous events. Including this coming Saturday for Alex and Tristan's event as there was already an event booked months before that could not be canceled, the all day breakdance/hip-hop event "Summertime In The City" put on by the guys at Shantytown. Had I not gotten this job both events would have overlapped each other and many of you may have made the trip out there would have not gotten what you expected at all. To avoid this and spare Alex and Tristan any embarrassment and give them enough time to make other arrangements I sent them an e-mail on Tuesday to alert them to what was going on. I've been told this is already being twisted into me trying to hurt them in someway, but lets be realistic about it, this was something that happened before I came along and if I really wanted to be mean or vindictive to them I could have just stood by and let them lead you into a huge mess and watch them crash and burn. But that's not the way I do things, I try and be respectful and fair even to people who would intend to work against me.
I also let them know my intention to reopen FACTORY at 9th and Main, which due to this "Summertime" event even I could not start until the following week, and I cannot imagine that anyone would disagree that whichever way you look at it, the obvious choice that was not only best for the club but best for the scene was to implement a tried and tested night that has a near six year history and a schedule of events planned through October prior to the other club being shut down as opposed to a night that had not even gotten off the ground. Despite this mess and my differences with Alex I went the extra step and offered them the option of trying out their promotion on another night as I am in the beginning process of reworking the weekly schedule and I am always willing to listen to and work things out with people that are willing to do the same, but so far they have both been unresponsive. Which is unfortunate as I'd rather see something work out for everyone instead of these unnecessary and narcissistic attempts to divide an already small and struggling scene. In fact, prior to taking on this job I was going to continue building on Sunday nights and had planned on supporting their Saturday (Despite it being planned weeks before the club being closed by the city with the specific intent to compete against us) and in a show of good faith of that I had already listed the night on my new web site TheDark.info under the Jacksonville page. Though it will be changed as soon as I can get to it, the listing is still up and has been since last weekend.
That said, believe what you want to believe and take sides if you feel you must. I'm not out to win any popularity contest I am only out to do what is best for the scene and have been for over a decade. I can encourage you to listen to all sides first, keep the rumors to a minimum and do not judge anyone in this situation so quickly based on what you may have heard or read that their intentions may be or believe any side 100% (even mine) as we all have our own perspective on what has happened and without having open communication between the parties involved I am confident that no one has the real story or knows anyone's true intentions. For the record, my intentions boil down to taking on a job that was offered to me and then doing that job by making decisions I felt best for the club and for you. The story from here on out is yet to be written. I do hope everyone involved will step back from the heat of their anger and do what is best for the scene and try to work things out, or at the very least respectfully go their separate ways without lowering themselves by continually trying to unfairly bash me and embroil all of you needlessly in pointless drama that in the end only serves to feed the egos that are the cause of all these problems from the start.
We at FACTORY are taking the weekend off and look forward to all the great nights, live shows and special events we have coming up. This weekend if you're going to go out you should check out DJ Jose over at Steamworks in 5 Points on Saturday, he'll fix you up right. And to make up in the smallest way to all of you for not having a place to go over the past week and all of the constant (though unavoidable) changes I invite everyone to 9th & Main for our reopening night on August 23rd with NO COVER for 21+ and $3 cover 18+ (sorry kids but you gotta give it up for the bar) and no one is banned, there is no vip, and no pretension despite what you've heard, just good music and good times with good friends.
I remain humbly yours,
Max Michaels
FACTORY promotions/General Manager 9th & Main
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